New documentary Yer Men in Spain lifts the lid on Northern Ireland’s 1982 World Cup experience

Footage of the Northern Ireland football squad sending shockwaves through the 1982 World Cup will be on show in a new documentary created by Northern Ireland ScreensDigitalFilmArchive. To coincide with the 40th anniversary of Northern Ireland reaching the World Cup, Yer Men in Spain will screen on Sunday 11th December at 7.30pm in the Odeon, Belfast.  

The film is edited from over eight hours of footage of the late Billy Bingham’s squad featuring Gerry Armstrong, Pat Jennings, Martin O’Neill, Billy Hamilton and Norman Whiteside on and off the pitch. It features interviews and vox pops from fans in Spain and in pubs and venues across Northern Ireland captured by UTV. This includes footage never seen before.  

Camera operators from UTV were granted access to all areas of the 1982 squad’s movements in Spain for the World Cup where Northern Ireland beat home country Spain and reached the quarter finals. They were also welcomed into the family home of Gerry Armstrong and caught fan reaction at home and abroad as the team defied expectations.  

The team at Northern Ireland ScreensDigitalFilmArchive reviewed 21 cans of footage before assembling this fly-on-the-wall style feature-length documentary.  

Screened in partnership with Belfast Film Festival, the documentary screening will be followed by a Q&A with footballers Gerry Armstrong and Billy Hamilton.

Richard Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Ireland Screen commented:

“The purpose of the DigitalFilmArchive is to safeguard moving image heritage in a way that is stimulating, entertaining and sustainable and the Yer Men in Spain documentary does just that. By unearthing and piecing together never before seen footage of the Northern Ireland World Cup squad in 1982, the Digital Film Archive team has created a way for local football fans to immerse themselves in such a historic celebration forty years later.”  

Former Northern Ireland international footballer Gerry Armstrong added:

“This feature-length documentary will showcase the greatest football moment in the history of the Irish FA and it really is a must watch for the fans. I’m really looking forward to watching the behind-the-scenes footage I’ve never seen before with all the fans next Sunday.” 

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland Wednesday 30 November

Forward Look                                

  • Preliminary talks on Cabinet reshuffle are to begin later this week. It’s understood the focus of initial talks will be on the decision of which Department will work best in the long term to house those fleeing from Ukraine.

  • Sinn Féin is down four points in the polls in the most recent Red C survey. It is the party’s first decrease in over a year.

  • Siún Ní Raghallaigh is the new chair of RTÉ. Ní Raghallaigh is the former chief executive of Ardmore Studios and a founding member of TG4.

  • A new consolidated Planning Bill will be brought before cabinet early next month. It will radically overhaul the planning process by speeding up An Bord Pleanála process and reduce the number of judicial review challenges.

  • Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD is set to serve a second term as Eurogroup President due to no other candidates coming forward. Current Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath TD will serve as Ireland’s representative to the group.

  • New research from Fintech group Wise business revealed that 7 out of 10 SMEs in Ireland fear closure over the next year. 76% of businesses polled believe the baking sector requires greater competition to meet their needs.

  • 660 Irish based businesses will have to report to the Department for Equality after findings showed men at Irish based companies are earning significantly more than their female colleagues.

  • European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen will address both houses of the Oireachtas tomorrow.

  • A planned increase in motorway tolls will be delayed until July 1, 2023. The decision was made by the three Coalition leaders on Monday night.

  • Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD has said he would be in favour of a universal levy to replace the TV licence.

  • On Thursday, IBEC’s Business Leaders Conference and the Irish Business and Finance Awards will take place in Galway and Dublin, respectively.

Other Stories this week

  • The Government has regained a majority in the Dáil after Neasa Hourigan TD and Patrick Costello TD were readmitted into the Green Party last week after losing the whip for six months.

  • The Central Bank has put a 60% borrowing limit on Irish property funds.

  • The Economic and Social Research Institute think tank has reported that Ireland’s productivity levels have grown to 40% above Northern Ireland’s in the last twenty years.

  • Yesterday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD brought an update on the Shared Island Initiative to Cabinet. He outlined the €132m spent to date on cross border initiatives such as the Narrow Water Bridge and Ulster Canal projects and further upcoming plans.

  • Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD has lifted the €500k pay cap on pay at the Bank of Ireland and allow bonuses of €20k in the banking sector overall.

  • Ireland and France have signed the €1.6bn Celtic Interconnector agreement. This will join both countries’ energy grids and will supply energy from whichever country’s is cheapest at the time.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 1 December, Ibec’s Business Leader’s Conference, Galmont Hotel, Galway.

  • 1 December, Business Post Property Summit, Croke Park, Dublin.

  • 1 December, National Food and Drink Business Conference, Blanchardstown Sports Arena.

  • 7-8 December, Dublin Chamber London Trade Mission.

  • 17 December, Leo Varadkar TD becomes Taoiseach.

Consultations

WE'RE HIRING: 2 New Roles in Public Affairs & Strategic Communications at Brown O'Connor Communications

New Roles

Public Affairs and Strategic Communications – Brown O’Connor Communications

Client Manager & Senior Client Executive

 

About Brown O’Connor Communications

Brown O’Connor Communications is one of Ireland’s most trusted and respected communications advisory firms.

Specialist in Public Affairs, Corporate Media Relations, Issues Management & Crisis Communications, the agency was awarded the CIPR Best Public Affairs Campaign 2022/2023 and was named the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Northern Ireland Consultancy of the Year (Small) 2021/2022.

We have a growing track record for managing and delivering complex communications programmes for some of the UK and Ireland’s leading businesses, professional services, charities, trade bodies, interest groups and public-sector organisations.

We help our clients gain impact and outcomes through specialist insight and influence with editors, government ministers and corporate decision makers. 

We are trusted advisors based on our:

Extensive experience working for high-profile, public facing organisations and delivering our services on a range of sensitive issues.

Credibility through the people who make up our team and the approach they take.

Clients who provide endorsement on the reliability and professionalism of our work.

Our Location

Our central office is based in Belfast City Centre managing clients based in Northern Ireland, London, Dublin and the US.

Our Specialist Areas

We are highly regarded for our specialist Public Affairs and Corporate and Strategic Communications services which includes Crisis Communications, Property and Planning Communications, Litigation Communications, Event Management, Political Monitoring and Communication Strategy Development. 

Our Clients

Our consultants work across a range of areas including legal, commercial, financial, financial technology, industrial, manufacturing, public inquiries, regulators, commissions, non-departmental public bodies and the third sector.

Our clients includes global professional services companies such as Allstate, Eversheds Sutherland, Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, huge brands such as Domino’s Pizza, Primark, Amazon, GLL and the Disasters Emergency Committee and important organisations such as the HM Treasury FinTech Envoy for NI, the Electoral Commission, Northern Ireland Screen, Bar Council NI and Hospitality Ulster.

Our Approach and Company Culture

The success of Brown O’Connor Communications is based on the performance of its people.

Our rigorous approach delivers positive outcomes for our clients, and we go out of our way to ensure success.

We deliver excellence in all that we do and our team is accountable and responsible for all activity they undertake.

What we offer

22 Days Annual Leave and 11 Public Holidays

Paid Annual CIPR Membership

An exciting and dynamic working environment in a city centre-based office

Regular team social events

Training opportunities

Mobile Phone allowance

Flexible working 1 day per week

Due to the expansion of the advisory firm, we are now seeking 2 new roles in the areas of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications.

ROLE 1: CLIENT MANAGER

  • Experience: Min 3+ years

  • Area: Public Affairs & Strategic Communications

  • Salary: Highly Competitive

  • Based: Adelaide Street, Belfast City Centre

The Person

Brown O’Connor Communications is seeking a talented and ambitious Client Manager to join the team.

This is an exciting and demanding role within a leading consultancy and requires a resilient individual with demonstrable client management and leadership ability.

You may be already working in public affairs or corporate communications in an agency; as an in-house communications manager; in politics; or as journalist.

You will have a deep professional interest in business, the media and politics and have a detailed understanding of the role that media relations, public affairs, and stakeholder relations plays.

Client Manager Role Specification

Strategic Counsel

Proven client handling skills with experience in managing large accounts, providing proactive strategic advice and great ideas.

Ability to manage a high level of client interaction and be able to design and implement strategies.

Day to Day Delivery

Proven ability to work in a fast paced, often pressurised, outcome orientated environment.

Manage political lobbying campaigns securing policy change, legislative change and the smooth running of political engagement programmes.

Manage public awareness campaigns integrating various methods to create significant public interest.

Write strong editorial content on behalf of clients including press releases, opinion/platform pieces and blogs and ensure coverage across a range of media outlets.

Manage an entire range of suppliers such as photographers, graphic designers, videographers, economists and sectoral experts integral to the successful delivery of client activity campaigns.

Be able to create engaging social media content across multiple platforms.

Forward plan to ensure smooth running of client campaigns on time, and within budget.

New Business Development

Take a leading role in new business development and organic growth opportunities alongside company directors and be comfortable in pitching and proposal development.

Supporting successful tender writing from start to submission.

Experience in identifying and converting new business opportunities.

People Management

Line management duties with wider members of team.

Understanding the requirement to work with efficiency and profitably.

Manage team members on client accounts to ensure work is carried out successfully and within allocated budgets.

Work as a team player with Brown O’Connor colleagues to ensure success across client accounts.

Deliver outcomes for clients and work to raise their profile in the media and with key stakeholders in a positive way.

Criteria

3+ years working in the areas of Public Affairs and/or Corporate or Strategic Communications or within a communications environment (Agency experience preferred).

Third Level Degree or equivalent in the preferred areas of Communications, Law, Politics, Business, Social Science or Humanities.  

Possess strong writing and editing skills with ability to write attention-grabbing media material, client correspondence and reports.

An excellent communicator both written and oral.

Commercially and politically aware.

Outstanding organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.

Strong initiative, leadership skills and work ethic.

Ability to hustle to make things happen.

Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by client and other activity. 

Clean driving licence and access to a car.

Desirable Criteria

Experience in working in a similar communications role in the Republic of Ireland.

Role 2: SENIOR CLIENT EXECUTIVE

  • Experience: 1+ years

  • Area: Public Affairs and Strategic Communications 

  • Salary: Competitive

  • Based: Adelaide Street, Belfast City Centre

Day to Day Delivery

Proven ability to work in a fast paced, often pressurised, outcome orientated environment.

Working on political lobbying, strategic communications and public awareness campaigns

Political and Policy Monitoring of the NI Assembly, Westminster and Oireachtas.

Writing editorial content on behalf of clients including press releases, opinion/platform pieces and blogs and ensure coverage across a range of media outlets.

Working with suppliers such as photographers, graphic designers, videographers, economists and sectoral experts integral to the successful delivery of client activity campaigns.

Be able to create engaging social media content across multiple platforms.

Well organised to ensure smooth running of client campaigns.

Work as a team player with Brown O’Connor colleagues to ensure success across client accounts.

Deliver outcomes for clients and work to raise their profile in the media and with key stakeholders in a positive way.

Criteria

Around 1 year working in the areas of Public Affairs and/or Corporate or Strategic Communications or within a communications environment.

Third Level Degree or equivalent in the preferred areas of Communications, Law, Politics, Business, Social Science or Humanities.  

An excellent communicator both written and oral.

Outstanding organisational skills..

Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by client and other activity. 

Clean driving licence and access to a car.

How to Apply

To apply in strict confidence, please send your detailed CV, covering email and the completed response to the set question below, by email, to Brown O’Connor Communications at hello@brownoconnor.com by 5pm Friday 6th January 2023.

QUESTION: Please outline, with examples, how you meet the Criteria as outlined in the Job Specification (Word Limit 300).

For Client Manager role please state your name and ‘Brown O’Connor Client Manager 2023’ in the subject line.

For Senior Client Executive role please state your name and ‘Brown O’Connor Senior Client Executive 2023’ in the subject line.

Application Process: Initial shortlisting and Two stage interview

Northern Ireland hymn-writing duo Keith & Kristyn Getty secure first GRAMMY nomination

Northern Irish Christian hymn-writers Keith and Kristyn Getty have earned their first GRAMMY nomination for their album Confessio – Irish American Roots in the Best Roots Gospel Album category.

Described by the couple as their “love letter to Northern Ireland”, Confessio showcases 15 modern and timeless hymns including renditions of Be Thou My Vision, Amazing Grace and It Is Well With My Soul, as well as their own In Christ Alone and Immigrant’s Song.

Recorded on the North Coast as the Getty’s spent time at home during the pandemic, Confessio traces their journey back to Northern Ireland to explore the connection between the island’s enduring faith music heritage and its legacy in America, from St Patrick and Be Thou My Vision to their own work and Kristyn’s duet version of “In Christ Alone” with Alison Krauss.

It highlights traditional Irish melodies and instrumentation and features performances from an array of guests including multiple GRAMMY-award winning artists Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs and Kirk Whalum as well as their daughters making an appearance. 

The Gettys are nominated in the Best Roots Gospel Album category alongside Willie Nelson, the Gaither Vocal Band and Karen Peck & New River. The category is for albums that feature more than 50% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional gospel music, including country, Southern gospel, bluegrass, and Americana recordings.

The 65th GRAMMY Awards 2023 will be held on Sunday 5 February at Los Angeles’ Cyrpto.com Arena.

To Download “Confessio – Irish American Roots” please visit: www.gettymusic.com/confessio.

Commenting on the nomination, Keith Getty said:

“We made this album when we were home with our four daughters in Northern Ireland during Covid. It started one day as I was at Ballycastle harbour looking out to sea, thinking of our heritage and the gift it is to be from here. The album is a love letter to our home: the place that gave the origins and the meaning to why we write hymns; from its first hymn writer St Patrick and his ‘Confessio’, to ‘Be Thou My Vision’, to our own journey writing ‘In Christ Alone’ and other modern hymns. Some of the tracks were simply recorded in the outdoor ‘Cove’ in our home outside of Bushmills, with one even recorded at ‘Harrys Shack’! So it’s funny but also lastingly beautiful to think we’re going to the Grammys because of it!”

“Kristyn and I are grateful to have contributions on this album from legends such as Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, and Kirk Whalum as well as many of our own team. We are honoured to be nominated for our first Grammy award, and we hope the project shines a greater light on the Christian heritage of the West, the importance of hymn singing, and the beauty of Christ.”

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland Wednesday 23 November

Forward Look                                

  • Index provider Standard and Poor’s have forecast that Ireland will avoid recession next year and continue to outperform other advanced economies while running budget surpluses through 2025.

  • On December 5, Paschal Donohoe will stand for election for a second term as President of the Eurogroup.

  • Planning has begun for a referendum on diaspora voting rights for future Presidential elections. A civic forum will take place next Spring in Dublin.

  • Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has confirmed that Heather Humphreys TD will take the Justice Minister post while Helen McEntee TD takes maternity leave from the end of November. This will not impact the expected cabinet reshuffle on December 17.

  • The European Central Bank has warned the property market in the EU is at a turning point. They warn indebted households are at serious risk due to high inflation, low growth and tighter financial conditions.

  • The Government has approved a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. The sale of nicotine inhaling products will be prohibited from vending machines, temporary premises and event places for children.

  • Despite nearly €500m of the Government’s housing budget for the first nine months of the year not being spent, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD says this year’s overall housing target will be met.

  • The National Minimum Wage will be raised from 1 January 2023 to €11.30 per hour. Stephen Donnelly TD has made it clear in an interview with the Irish Independent that he would like to remain in his position until the next general election.

  • Climate and Environmental Minister Eamon Ryan TD has called on Ireland to use its corporation tax take to contribute to the ‘loss and damage fund’ created at COP27 for the most vulnerable nations to global warning.

  • Energy firm SSE Airtricity has said it will forgo profits this year due to spiking energy prices and greater focus on customer support programmes, despite making €17m profit in the first half of the year.

  • Tomorrow, the Central Statistics Office will publish its third-quarter labour market survey.

  • Leading tech conference AI Con, hosted by Kainos, will be held on Thursday 1 December at Titanic Belfast.

Other Stories this week

  • Sinn Féin has published its policy paper Schools as Catalysts for Climate Action amid criticism that the party lacks any substantive climate action policy.

  • Ireland has risen from 14th to 7th place in PwC’s EMEA ranking of countries where private business can thrive.

  • At Fine Gael’s Ard Fheis on Saturday Tánaiste Leo Varadkar praised Micheál Martin’s time as Taoiseach.

  • Taoiseach Micheál Martin has made a statement that the UK government was “correct” to defer a fresh Stormont election.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 24 November, American Chamber Thanksgiving Day Lunch, Clayton Hotel, Dublin.

  • 25 November, Research Excellence Awards, Shelbourne Hotel.

  • 1 December, Ibec’s Business Leader’s Conference, Galmont Hotel, Galway.

  • 1 December, Business Post Property Summit, Croke Park, Dublin.

  • 1 December, National Food and Drink Business Conference, Blanchardstown Sports Arena.

  • 7-8 December, Dublin Chamber London Trade Mission.

  • 17 December, Leo Varadkar TD becomes Taoiseach.

Consultations

'Greater diversity vital ahead of 2023 elections' by Alison Allen, CEO, Northern Ireland Local Government Association

As originally appeared in the Irish News, Saturday 19 November

NILGA CEO Alison Allen

With all the recent talk of a potential fresh Assembly election being called by the Secretary of State, it would be easy to forget that there is a local government election in spring 2023. Next May, the people of Northern Ireland will go to the polls to elect 462 councillors across 11 council areas. Councillors play a vital role in their constituencies and local communities and, in many ways, they are the most accessible and visible of our elected representatives.

Elected members to our 11 local councils are based in their communities, delivering for their constituents on a daily basis. They are community activists and leaders who live in the villages, townlands, and suburban areas across the country. Our councillors represent our local communities, give them a voice, and defend their interests. However, while they may represent people from incredibly diverse backgrounds, different ethnicities and religions, abilities and sexual orientations, our councillors are not always fully reflective and representative of the rich diversity within Northern Ireland.

The 2021 census results published earlier this year show that Northern Ireland is more diverse than ever. People from a minority ethnic background have nearly doubled in number since the last census in 2011 and one in 15 people living here were born outside the UK or Ireland. We have a rich blend of religions and nationalities here and the 1.9 million of us who call Northern Ireland home have a diverse range of experiences, opinions, and views.

Ahead of next year’s elections, it’s crucial that our candidates and successfully elected representatives fully represent this rich diversity. The Northern Ireland Local Government Association has launched a new and exciting campaign – Be A Councillor, Make A Difference – to encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to consider making the leap into public life and frontline politics. This includes people of colour, those with caring responsibilities, women, young people, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with a disability.

This is a significant campaign and very timely as we approach the period when political parties are beginning to select their candidates ahead of next spring. We want to encourage as varied a cohort of candidates as possible. A more diverse and inclusive society brings benefits for all of us. More diverse politics brings better policies, better legislation, and greater inclusivity with wider perspectives on how to improve our communities for everyone in them.

NILGA has written to all the major local parties to encourage them to ensure they keep this at the front of their minds as they begin their selection processes. Facilitating and fostering proper diversity and inclusion among our parties and our candidates will help lead to a more inclusive society for us all. Our parties have an important role to play to make sure our elected representatives are as reflective of the people they serve as possible and NILGA will work closely with all parties ahead of May 2023 to make this a reality.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords. Ensuring a commitment to both can bring untold benefits for everyone in our communities. Respecting the differences between us and reflecting the views, opinions, and experiences we all hold leads to a more cohesive society for everyone and ensures better policy and better laws for Northern Ireland.

Nearly half of micro and small businesses will not survive without proper support, new Enterprise NI survey finds

Enterprise Northern Ireland CEO Michael McQuillan

A major survey from Enterprise Northern Ireland has found that nearly half of micro and small businesses could face closure in 2023 without proper government support.

Over 600 businesses from across Northern Ireland and across all economic sectors responded to the NI Enterprise Barometer, the largest annual survey of micro and small businesses in Northern Ireland. The Barometer captures data, opinions, needs, and proposed solutions of local small, micro, and self-employed businesses.

47% of respondents stated that they will not survive the next 12 months without the right support in place, while 95% of businesses reported that their utilities and fuel costs have risen sharply throughout 2022. One in ten businesses are now also reporting severe cash flow pressures, up from just 3% at the beginning of this year.

The latest data also shows that economic growth is now slowing, with only 36% of businesses expecting to grow in 2023, compared to over 50% at the beginning of 2022. More significantly and worryingly, the number of respondents who expect their business to contract in the next year has doubled from 18% to 36%. 

Supported by Ulster Bank and the British Business Bank, this year’s Barometer sought to gauge the experience of small and micro businesses during the cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business crises, as well as their plans for the year ahead.

Michael McQuillan, Enterprise NI Chief Executive, said:

“The 2022 NI Enterprise Barometer presents a concerning snapshot of our local economy. As illustrated in these results, the current economic and fiscal environment is extremely challenging for small and micro businesses, from all sectors, across Northern Ireland. Macro-level events and challenges like the war in Ukraine and the global economic downturn are placing serious pressures on local businesses, combined with local political instability and uncertainty over post-Brexit funding.

“While not surprising, 95% of businesses experiencing a significant rise in their utilities and fuel expenses over the past 12 months is a stark figure and one which drives home the gravity of the situation businesses find themselves in. The rising cost-of-doing-business is having a severe impact on our local entrepreneurs. Without significant action in the coming weeks and months, businesses will go to the wall.

“Nearly half of our respondents have said they will not survive in the medium term without government support. Small and micro businesses make up the vast bulk of the local economy. The collapse of nearly half of these firms would have a catastrophic knock-on effect on the Northern Irish economy, communities, families, and households across the country.

“Respondents to the Barometer have been clear on the interventions and support they believe are necessary over the next 12 months. These include a reduction in VAT, a fundamental change to the business rates system to reduce the burden on small businesses, greater and easier access to finance for stability and growth, and lowering of the energy cap. In the absence of an Executive at Stormont, it’s crucial that the UK Government now steps in to protect the backbone of the Northern Irish economy and protect businesses, jobs, and households as we enter 2023.”

Maureen O’Reilly, Barometer Economist, also added:

“While last week’s Autumn Statement from the Chancellor was aimed at injecting stability into the economy once more, it did little to relieve the concerns of small and micro business owners in Northern Ireland. Our barometer shows that growth is slowing across the country and firms are now concerned about contractions within their businesses. Deteriorating growth, combined with rapidly rising inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, is a dangerous mix.”

Speech and Language Therapists issue critical workforce warning

Ruth Sedgewick, Head of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists NI

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) have warned that the Speech and Language Therapy workforce in Northern Ireland is at a critical juncture.

The warning comes as the Speech and Language Therapy workforce meet on Thursday for its hub leadership conference at the Titanic Centre in Belfast.

RCSLTNI is calling on the Department of Health to set out how it plans to address the challenges facing the profession. Demand for services is unsustainable without measures to grow the SLT workforce. This includes commissioning more undergraduate places in NI as well as developing apprenticeships and alternative routes in the profession. Many of the challenges facing the profession were predicted, and measures to mitigate these were outlined in 2018 Workforce Strategy.  This report has yet to be implemented in full. 

Speech and Language Therapy vacancies across all five trusts and in schools in Northern Ireland remain unfilled due to a lack of investment in the workforce.

The body remains very concerned that the current and projected shortfall in speech and language therapists will especially impact children over the coming years. This warning follows on the back of evidence that SLT services for children in the community are hugely overstretched. As highlighted in a recent report by the Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner, there has been an 87% increase in the numbers of children waiting for speech and language therapy in the community, compared to the same month in 2021.

The body also raised concerns in August regarding the need to ensure there is greater support for pupils with speech, language and communication needs associated with their special education needs (SEN). Additional funding from the Department of Education for SEN services in September was welcome, however the historical funding gap remains following years of underinvestment.

(L-R) Kamini Gadhok, CEO of the Royal College of Speech Language Therapists; Robin Swann MLA and Ruth Sedgewick, Head of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists NI.  

Head of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists NI, Ruth Sedgewick said:

“We are putting those in Northern Ireland with speech, language, communication and swallowing needs at a disadvantage if investment is not made to the SLT workforce in Northern Ireland. Our members have reported that they are under extreme pressure in recent years to meet the growing demands for speech and language therapy services. This simply cannot continue.

“In contrast to other parts of the UK, Northern Ireland has failed to take any specific measures to mitigate the impact of COVID on children’s early language development. We are now seeing the increases in children being referred to SLT with delays and significant needs have taken longer to identify. This is one of the issues that will be impacting on longer waiting lists.

“As with many areas of the health and social care system, the Speech and Language Therapy workforce is at a critical juncture. We have made it clear to the Department of Health that greater investment, and increased SLT training places, must be made available to ensure all those living with a speech, language and communication need have access to essential treatments – especially our children with special educational needs. Closer cooperation between Health and Education is welcome and must continue to ensure services are meaningful and children are not left behind here.

“While we recognise that the political limbo in Northern Ireland makes it difficult for funding decisions to be made, people who need speech and language therapy should not be collateral damage.

“We are calling on the Departments of Health and Education to ensure that all those who need speech and language therapy are not failed, and the right funding and support is given to our profession to ensure services are delivered on a sustainable footing.”

'Bleak outlook' for business and personal finance following Autumn Statement says Angela Keery, Head of Tax at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Head of Tax at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Angela Keery.

Reacting to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, Head of Tax at Belfast accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Angela Keery said:

“The Autumn Statement is confirmation of the bleak outlook we face both in terms of business finances and our personal, take-home pay packets. Individuals and business owners will now feel their tax obligations increase, with companies in Northern Ireland in particular making no major gains from the announcement.”

“The Chancellor’s move to maintain current personal tax thresholds, essentially bringing more people into higher tax brackets by extending the freeze until April 2028, may not cost individuals anything in the short term but mitigates any small boost they may have gotten from a pay rise awarded by their employer in line with inflation. Cuts to the tax-free dividend allowance to £1,000 in April 2023 and again to £500 in 2024 mean business owners and directors will face increased tax burdens as they pay themselves. Capital Gains Tax exemptions will also drop by more than half to £6,000 in 2023, and again to £3,000 in 2024, meaning the disposal of assets will become a tax-heavy and much less attractive option also.”

“Whilst the personal tax threshold and basic rate bands are frozen, there is a drop in the taxation threshold for top earners to £125,000, ensuring more of the highest earners contribute the top 45% level of income tax. What will be popular from today’s statement is the increase in the National Living Wage to £10.42. Also more palatable in today’s high-inflation economy is the move to expand the windfall tax on the energy industry. This increases the tax burden on those who are generating more profits and is a generally well received way of raising an additional £14bn in tax revenue next year alone.”

“With no significant takeaways for Northern Ireland, however, what’s vital now is that business owners and individuals alike take time to digest this information, assess their financial situation and set a realistic, achievable budget for the coming months that accounts for continuing inflation and rising energy costs, seeking informed and reliable business advice where feasible.”

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland Wednesday 16 November

Forward Look

  • The Government is set to publish its Gambling Regulation Bill which implements an advertising blackout between 5.30am and 9pm for gambling products and services. A new Gambling Regulator Authority will enforce new advertising and sponsorship rules across all media and overhaul licensing laws for the gambling industry.

  • A white paper regarding revisions to the State’s enterprise policy could be brought forward as soon as next month following considerable job losses in the Irish Technology Sector.

  • The Irish Examiner is reporting that Fine Gael wants current Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD to take the ministerial post in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

  • It is also reported that Fianna Fáil is seeking the Department of Justice and will demote Stephen Donnelly out of the Department of Health.

  • Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he would be in favour of a transfer pact with Fianna Fáil at the next general election.

  • Bank of Ireland’s net interest income has risen by 3% and is expected to rise further to between 6-7% by the end of the year.

  • An Bord Pleanála’s board will increase to 15 members under new draft legislation to reform the planning appeals body.

  • The Department of Justice have opened a stakeholder consultation on the Review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme. The link to read more is here.

  • An election to fill a place on the Fianna Fáil Ard Comhairle must be held before the end of the month.

  • The High Court has ruled that the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement with Canada is unconstitutional. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD has expressed Fine Gael's determination to ratify the convention without a referendum and will instead seek to amend domestic legislation.

  • The Central Statistics Office will publish its updated house price data today. Tomorrow, the CSO will release a breakdown of inflation by household type.

  • The Credit Guarantee Bill is expected to pass the Dáil today and the Incitement to Violence bill will also reach its second stage.

  • The Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment will discuss the issues facing small businesses today.

  • The Committee on Budgetary oversight will also meet with representatives of OECD and Irish Tax Institute to discuss the Commission on Taxation and Welfare Report today.

Other Stories this week

  • Over 430 organisations have been awarded a total of €4 million in funding from the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme.

  • A planned investigation of Tánaiste Leo Varadkar by the Standards in Public Office regarding a breach in the Standards in Public Office or Ethics Acts will not take place.

  • A total of 62,425 thousand Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Ireland since the Russian invasion.

  • Bank of Ireland has named its former Chief Financial Officer, Myles O’Grady, as the organisation’s new CEO.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 16 – 17 November, Data Centres Ireland Conference, RDS, Dublin

  • 18 November, IBEC Technology Ireland Industry Awards, The Mansion House, Dublin

  • 7-8 December, Dublin Chamber London Trade Mission.

  • 17 December, Leo Varadkar TD becomes Taoiseach.

Consultations